ONGARUE SMASH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 July 1923, Page 6

ONGARUE SMASH.

EVIDENCE AT ENQUIRY

(jBX, 'i'liijiiGitAPH—PHSSS ASSOCIATION ) AUCKLAND, July 23. The board oi- enquiry into the Main Trunk railway disaster heard evidence here to-day and adjourned to Weilington sine die. James. I* orroster Ma-ckley, locomotive 'engineer at Auckland, said that judging from the damage to the front of the engine he thought there was no doubt :it struck the boulder. Witness did not think making the ends of carriages solid would minimise the effects of such an accident. Mr. Marchbaniss: Can you make any suggestion to-strengthen the cars? Witness: Xo. The forces at work are so very considerable that nothing short lof making them on the same 'lines as the turrets of a man-of-war would do. In answer to further questions witness said he thought the cars were quite strong enough for what they were I designed for. i James Farquhar., sporting writer, a t passenger on the train, said the wounded were got out from the wi'eckage expeditiously, and everything was done to alleviate their sufferings. 'Witness also spoke of the courtesy and assistance to passengers of the stationmas.ter at Taumarumii. Witness, as a fairly regular traveller, w isiied to make .a strong protest against the length of some of tke Main Trunk trains. The i train that met- with the accident, however, was net unduty long. Mr. Sterling: Do you think everything possible -was done to get the wounded out and relieve their sufferings,,:* Witness: Yes, very good work was done, everybody doing his best. Henry I'ercy Ilobson, the guard on the express, said the speed of the train was between twenty and twenty-five miles. There were sufficient tools to keep all going until the relief train arrived. The brakes were tested at "Poro-o-tarno and found quite satisfactory. Vc'ibness said he was going to suggest to the department that °the ! breakdown tool set in the vans should ibe duplicated.

T!;p evidence of the engine-driver on the f-\]v.-e<=s, Alexander S. Stewart, was tfiko?; at his residence, as he is not yet fit to attend. He said the brakes were ■terrod at Povo-o-tarao and were satisfactory. The? train passed- through Ongaruo vt obout-twenty-five miles an hour, and arter that he 'shut off steam and drifts.! along at about 2<J milos an hour, and after ma^v have increased to 30 miles :;n hour by the time t^e engine struck the slip. The headlight was burrci:-<£ well, biit he did not see anything before running into the slip. The first warning he had was when he was into ti;e slip, and he appl'ed the brakes in:-meet lately. Th« engine appeared to s-t.rike a heavy slope and was to?.sed r,bo;,t. but after'trnvelling some dist.-uico it was thrown into the bank. ■Something hit witness on the head and he was rendered unconscious.

Mr. RidiTpl!: Do you know of your own biotvkrige whether the slip "was raovm-i?

Witness : I noticed a whole lot come down when helping with the rescue work, and there had been a rush of mud throro-h the window of the cab. CoTitiuiiinrr. witness said he did not res-am trie point as dangerous and did not am-icipnte any trouble. He knew other nlarcv: that were more dangerous, and wh<?ii trains; to a. dangerous place he would tike extra precautions.